The free kits are part of a three-year community based program sponsored by the ALA to promote radon awareness in Pennsylvania households. This year, the focus is on western Pennsylvania, which has been identified by DEP and the ALA as having generally lower testing rates and generally greater likelihood of high radon levels than other areas of the state.

In 2012, the program focused on Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Northumberland, Potter, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga counties. In 2013, the program focused on Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. This is the final year for the program.

Residents who are interested can obtain a kit one of the following three ways:

An on-line program at the ALA webpage www.lunginfo.org/freeradonkit. Here, residents can make a request for a home radon test kit, while supplies last. Only one test kit per household will be provided, with the understanding that persons requesting a test kit do not have previous test results for their homes and that testing would be performed for the residents’ personal health purposes. This offer will be in effect for a limited time.

School-based programs through which students receive radon test kits for use in their homes. A commitment from parents that the test would be performed is sought, and ideally the school would use the radon program as part of its science curriculum. Schools or teachers interested in signing up should contact Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health at 717-541-5864 ext. 36 or kstewart@lunginfo.org . Again, supplies are limited.

Community –based outreach activities at which ALA staff or its cooperative partners will provide radon test kits to members of the public in the target area. Businesses, Penn State Cooperative extension agents, health centers, municipal governments, shopping malls and civic clubs have all participated with ALA in the past. Interested persons should contact Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health at 717-541-5864 ext. 36 or kstewart@lunginfo.org to sign up.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking, in the country. The only way to know the level of radon inside one’s home is to test for it. The U.S. Surgeon General, DEP and the ALA recommend that all homes be tested for radon. Nearly one in 15 homes nationwide has a high level of indoor radon, and in Pennsylvania, the rates are even greater.